Drink Stacker

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to providing a solution or storage vessel, a stackable bottle rack for storing bottled water, namely a Drink Stacker. An improved lightweight rack containing bottles made of plastic such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The stackable bottle rack discloses a two-tier rack, a top and bottom rack. The racks are interchangeable and both racks are comprised of a 12-cylindrical compartment slot where the bottle sits vertically inside the rack. Desirably, complementary corrugated depressions are formed atop the surrounding borders (sides) of the mating rack to provide stable stacking, secure positioning, and support against slippage when racks are stacked. As support when beverages are inserted, the interior has two elongated mating sides which extend from end to end, which permits secure positioning and supporting of the bottles and prevent bottles from dropping or falling out while inserted.

This invention discloses a storage vessel, a stackable bottle rack for storing water, namely a Drink Stacker. The rack is configured to fit standard bottled water, preferably 16.9 ounce bottles. The advantage of the rack is that it is lightweight and easy to carry. The suitability of the rack can accommodate varying amounts of bottled water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past few years, we have witnessed an emergence in the use of plastic and an increase in the demand and consumption of bottled water marketed in shrink-wrap packaging. Because the United States is the second largest consumer market for bottled water in the world, we have witnessed a growing demand for and consumption of it. Consequently, bottled water, in retail stores, has been multi-packed into shrink-wrapped packages that are supported by corrugated trays or pads increasing the usage of plastic bottles for packaging different types of fluids. Yet, when considering providing other alternatives when addressing the need for storing bottled water, the focus has relatively been for larger water containers i.e. (5 gallons). As a result, having larger amounts of packaged bottled water or anything beyond the 12 pack has gone unnoticed. Further, in many situations when brought into a residence or business, the larger packaging of bottled water generally remains in the shrink-wrap packaging while placed openly in plain view sitting idly on the floor or within a certain proximity for accessing. Whether seen or unseen, having 24 to 48 shrink-wrapped packaged bottles sitting in plain view is unappealing and space consuming.

Although packaging is integral in safeguarding water and other beverages, packaging offering appeal and accessibility to the customer can also create challenges for the consumer. In residences the nested packaging of bottled products is bulky, consumes space, and provides limited options in placement, making it unappealing and unattractive. This discovery led to the development of an innovative stackable rack for bottled water customers who need to store water at their residence or business. The stackable rack for bottles offers a variety of storing combinations and provides benefits for storing other beverages as well. The Drink Stacker is an invention aimed at providing a visually pleasing option and an improved method and alternative to storing bottled water and beverages after purchase. The Drink Stacker is lightweight making it easy to carry. An important feature of the Drink Stacker is that it has an interchangeable top and bottom which eliminates the hassle of determining which rack fits where. The beverages sit vertically inside the cylindrical compartment, which allows secure and space-saving stacking of the bottles. An added benefit is the option to stack or place them side by side.

From a consumer's perspective, because the consumption of water is in high demand, having a stackable bottle rack makes it aesthetically attractive. For example, it is known that many consumers leave bottled water in the packaging sitting on the floor. Admittedly, it can sometimes become an inconvenience having to tear through these packaging or place your arm through the opening of the shrink wrap to retrieve water. The Drink tacker, however, provides for the easy addition or retrieval of bottles as needed. The effect is easy access to the bottles, the efficient use of floor space, and improved appearance

The stackable bottle rack provides an example of a plastic rectangular compartment with parallel-sided plastic intended to store the bottled water. Each rack has inter-fitting vertical and horizontal corrugated depressions or grooves formed around the top or surrounding borders to support the rack. In addition, the bottom interior has two elongated mating sides. When beverages or bottled water is vertically inserted into the cylindrical compartments, the two elongated mating sides on the interior prevent the bottles from falling through. Another important feature is the material used in manufacturing the product.

Recognizing the growing concern for the environment and consumer safety, the rack is made of ABS material. The use of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, otherwise known as ABS plastic, is a lightweight material commonly used by toy manufacturers and is popular among children's toys because of its natural white color. ABS plastic is heat-resistant, lightweight, and impact-resistant. The significance of utilizing ABS material is that its environmentally friendly. It also provides durability, is light in weight, and inexpensive. This invention aims at providing an improved method of and affordable option for storing large volumes of packaged bottled water. Finally, the Drink Stacker facilitates easier access and eliminates the cumbersome task of retrieving bottled water from shrink wrapped packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Designing and inventing a stackable bottled water rack provides a more aesthetically appealing option for storing bottled water in the residence or business. The stackable bottle rack features a modern and patented design configured for a safe vertical storage capacity to suit a maximum of 12 cylindrical compartments of bottled water per rack. It is envisioned that this supporting structure's sustainability allows both racks to support beverage bottles, wherein, this invention also provides the option of offering a flexible capacity to suit your water consumption.

It is further envisioned that the bottles may contain beverages other than water. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the racks are constructed of plastic and are sized to contain standard liquid volumes of 16.9 ounces or 500 ml bottled beverages. Other beverage types are also envisioned with respect to standard-sized bottles or canned beverages within the same volume size to not obstruct or limit view. The rack is easy to maintain, requiring no tools. It allows for efficient transportation and storage volume. The unique design and construction allows you to adapt the rack capacity to the space available and the amount of water requiring storage.

In noting other detailed features of the invention that are not apparent or depicted in the drawing is a middle intrusion or space opening. The intrusion or opening is positioned between the short legs of the rack to allow for easy transport and handling. Preferably, when stacking or removing the rack, simply insert hand into the opening and move to the desired location. Advantageously, the openings each have a depth dimension less than the total depth dimension of the rack (8.35) and less than the depth dimension for the cylindrical compartment (4.84). Within this arrangement, each rack is joined by two elongated mating sides enclosed inside the rack that extends from end to end and provides support to the bottles while inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top drawing illustrating one preferred embodiment of a bottle stackable rack according to the present invention;

FIG. 1—The top drawing illustration depicts a prospective view of the rack.

FIG. 1—The top drawing illustration depicts a top view of the invention where a plurality of 12 cylindrical compartments have been designed to insert and store bottled water.

FIG. 1—The top drawing depicts a prospective view of the invention where the racks have corrugated depressions (grooves) to provide stability to the rack when stacked.

FIG. 1—The bottom drawing depicts an inside view of the invention where a plurality of bottles may be inserted and stored in a vertical/upright position on rack.

FIG. 1—The bottom drawing depicts the rack height dimensions of 4.84 where a plurality of bottles sits on the inside of the rack.

FIG. 1—The bottom drawing depicts the rack as having short legs with a height of 8.35 from the top to the bottom.

FIG. 2—The photograph depicts a prototype of a two-tiered bottle stackable rack displayed side by side, where a plurality of 12 bottles may be inserted and stored in a vertical/upright position on each rack.

FIG. 2—The photograph depicts a prototype of a two-tiered bottle stackable rack with a view from the left end, displaying the short legs.

FIG. 2—The photograph depicts a prototype of a two-tiered bottle stackable rack displaying the corrugated depressions (grooves) bordering rack, which provides stability to the rack when stacked.

FIG. 2—The photograph depicts a prototype of a two-tiered bottle stackable rack when viewed from the left end provides an opening or intrusion between the short legs for the insertion of hand to properly placed rack to desired position/location and allow for easy transport and handling.

FIG. 2—The photograph depicts a prototype of a two-tiered bottle stackable rack inside the household when packaged to the consumer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of this invention depicts a standard-sized beverage bottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of approximately 500 milliliters. The rack base compartment is configured to fit standard-size bottled water consumed for daily use. The injected molded rack is constructed of ABS material making the rack durable, high impact strength, provides dimensional stability, and is light in weight, making it easy to transport. The base member of the rack has 12 cylindrical slot configurations, which allows the bottles to sit in an upright position when stored.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, the depth of the compartments is designed to provide a gap between racks to ensure that bottles in bottom rack will not hinder or interfere with top base member while occupied. The length of the base member is configured and sized to provide a snug fit when bottles are inserted inside compartment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention is shown from a top view. The rack comprises a base member of 12 cylindrical compartments sized at 2.50 in diameter. The rack is 20 inches in length and 7.75 inches in width. The configuration shown in the base member displays 12 compartments circular in appearance. The diameter of the base member approximates the diameter of the standard water bottle. The rack's base member dimensions are sized to ensure structural integrity, reduce weightiness, and provide durability.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention is shown from the top view where a plurality of water bottles is stored in a vertical/upright position on a rack. When inserted upright, on the inside of base member are two elongated support rails that extend from end to end that support the bottles as they are positioned on the rack. The bottles rest on the support rails to provide continuity between the bottles and prevent dislodging from base member.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention top drawing depicts a prospective view of the invention where the racks have corrugated depressions (grooves) to provide stability to the rack. This important feature functions to provide a secure cushion and added strength when racks are stacked. For stacking, each rack has inter-fitting vertical and horizontal corrugated depressions formed around the perimeter or surrounding borders to provide adequate support and strength.

Referring to FIG. 1—the bottom drawing depicts an inside view of the invention where a plurality of bottles may be inserted and stored in a vertical/upright position on rack.

Referring to FIG. 1—the bottom drawing depicts the rack height dimensions of 4.84 where a plurality of bottles sits on the inside of the rack.

FIG. 1—The bottom drawing depicts the rack as having short legs with a height of 8.35 from the top to the bottom.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention photograph depicts a two-tiered rack displayed side by side, where a plurality of 12 bottles may be inserted and stored in a vertical/upright position on each rack.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention photograph depicts a two-tiered rack displayed side by side, with a view from both the left end and side of the rack.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention photograph depicts a view of the rack from the left end displaying the height of the short legs when positioned in its location.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention photograph depicts a view of the rack displaying the corrugated depressions (grooves) bordering rack, which provides stability to the rack when stacked.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention photograph depicts an opening for inserting hand between the short legs to properly placed rack to desired position and or location.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention photograph depicts a view of the product inside the household when packaged to the consumer.

The embodiments described in the invention are provided for illustrations and descriptions. The overall intent is not to limit or define the invention to a prescribed or definitive form. The functional implementation of the invention described hereinto is not limited to plastic bottles but may include cans or glass. Further, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention reflected in the detailed description. 

1. A stackable bottle rack for storing water or beverages comprising: The beverage bottle having integrally coupled thereto; a base member for receiving a closure member; and two elongated boards positioned parallel inside bottom of storage rack of said base member, such that said board member provides continuity and securing between said base member and the beverage bottle; wherein elongated board member are dimensioned from end to end to support the bottle beverage when disposed on the rack.
 2. The stackable bottle rack according to claim 1, wherein the bottle is a water bottle.
 3. The stackable bottle rack according to claim 1, wherein the bottle is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of ABS plastic.
 4. The stackable bottle rack according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical base member has a diameter approximating that of the 500 ml bottle.
 5. The stackable bottle rack according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical base member encloses approximate diameter of 70-90 percent of the bottle.
 6. The stackable bottle rack according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical base member includes two elongated supporting rails for securing the positioning of beverage bottle to prevent dislodging.
 7. The rack mountable beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein said support of the beverage bottle includes a vertical position.
 8. The rack mountable beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the beverage bottle is vertically inserted into cylindrical compartments and sits centerline upon two elongated mating sides inside bottom of each base member extending through the beverage bottle of cylindrical base member.
 9. A rack mountable beverage bottle for maintaining and displaying beverages comprising: the beverage bottle having integrally coupled thereto; a 12-slot compartment member for receiving a closure member; a base member having; a diameter approximating that of the beverage bottle, a top for at least supporting the beverage bottle in an upright position, a bottom for supporting the beverage bottle in an upright position; and a base member having a cylindrical slot; a 12-cylindrical compartment coupled to a bottom base member beverage bottle, and a second end coupled to said top of said base member, wherein said base member are dimensioned to support the other base member of beverage bottle in vertical or upright position.
 10. A rack mountable beverage bottle for maintaining and displaying beverages comprising: the beverage bottle, wherein the beverage bottle is a water bottle, a base member having; a diameter approximating that of the beverage bottle, a top for supporting the beverage bottle in an upright position, a bottom for supporting the beverage bottle in an upright position; and a base member having a cylindrical compartment; a first end coupled to a bottom of the beverage bottle, a second end coupled to top of said base/rack member, and an approximate diameter enveloping beverage bottle; wherein at least a portion of said cylindrical compartment member and at least said top of said base member are sized to provide a snug fit when inserted in cylindrical compartment. 